Grain-unloading apparatus



' (No Model.) -2Sheets-Sheet-1'.

A. e R. eo'WAN. GRAIN UNLGADING APPARATUS.

y Patented Mar. 19, 1895.

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IS to any desired point inside of the crib or A designates the roof of an ordinary crib or gran- UNITED STA/TES- PATENT n OFFICE.

ALEXANDER COWAN AND `ROBERT COWAN, OF PRIMGHAR, yIOWA.

GRAIN-UNLOADING APPARATUS.

j SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 535,979, dated March 19, 1895.l

Application filed ,Tune 22, 1894. i Serial No. 515.407- `(ll'o model.)

To all whom it may concern: Y

Be it known that we, ALEXANDER CowAN and ROBERT OOWAN, .citizens of the United States, residing at Primghar, in the county of OBrien and State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Grain-Unloading Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates'to grain unloading apparatus; and it has for its object to pro- Vide a new and useful'apparatus of this charactor. forming an attachment to a crib or granary to provide simple and efficient means for unloading ear corn or other grain from the wagon into the top of the crib or granary and distributing the grain from the point of dump granary.

To this endthe main and primary object of the present inventionV is to construct a grain unloading apparatus providing means for elevating a load of grain to the roof of the granary and distributing the same to any part thereof.

' With these and other objects in view which will readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the saine consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figurel is a side elevation 0f a grain unloading, apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention,fas set up for use. Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof. Fig.u3 is acentral vertical longitudinal sectional. view of the apparatus. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view on the line .ocof Fig. 3, including the adjustable rail brackets. Fig. 5 is a detailin perspective of the adjustable delivery spout. Fig. 6 is a similar View at one end of the wagon showing the end gate trip lock. Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view of the wagon body. Fig. 8 is a detail in perspective of one of the rail brackets. Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view showing the attachment of the inclined track frame.

Referring to the accompanying d rawings, 1

ary that is pierced at any convenient point therein with the top grainreceiving opening 2, and the'roof 1, is adapted to support thereon the horizontal roof track 3. The horizontal roof track 3, consists of the opposite parallel track rails 4, provided with the side retaining which'are faced on their inner sides by the metallic wear plates 6, which relieve the side flangesv 5, from 'frictional wear. The parallel track rails 4, of the roof track 3, are sustained in their horizontal positions on the roof ofthe granary by means of a series of adjustable rail brackets 7.

As illustrated in the drawings the rail brackets 7 are-secured on top of the roofl at both sides of the peak thereof so that the ygrain receiving opening 2, in the roof will be disposed directly between 'the track rails 4, but it will o f course beunderstood that the said rail brackets may be secured at any point Von the roof according to the location of the opening 2.

The rail brackets 7 essentially comprise the attachment plates S, that are adapted to be temporarily fastened to the roof and are provided on their upper sides at opposite points with the pivot lugs 9, to one of which is pivotally connected at lO, the lower ends of the adjustable upright supporting posts 11, to the anges 5 to hold the wagon on the track and f which receive the pins 16, passed therethrough and also through the slots or openings 13, receiving one end of the said brace arms. This construction of track bracket provides means whereby the same can be attached toa roof with any pitch and at the IOO 17. The inclined ground track 1,7, extends from the groundup to one end of the track 3, and consists of opposite parallel track rails 18, constructed in the same manner as the rails 4, of the roof track, and saidiuclined ground track 17, is supported above the ground on the upper ends of different sized track supporting frames or stands 19 and is securely braced at its upper end to one end of the granary roof by the braces 20. The tracks 17 and 3 are designed to accommodate for travel thereon an ordinary grain vvagon 21, that is adapted to be filled with ear corn or other grain that is to he carried up to the roof of the granary and unloaded or dumped into the top grain opening 2, thereof. The Wagon 21, is of an ordinary construction, but in the present Ainvention it is preferably equipped at the reardurnpifng end'therecf with theswinging end gate 22. The end gate 22,18 riveted at its ilrpl ,and htres tile Opposite sidesef managen bedr the treesverse pivot rod 23, and attached to opposite inner ends of saids'winging" endgate are the segnientalend boards 24, that serve to inclose in the opposite sid'esof the end gate when open, and which permit `the saine to close freely.

The swinging end gate 22, at one end of the body of the' Wagon 21, arranged on the outer side thereof the segmental lock lever` 25. The' Sesiuen'tl leek lever 25,'is hvetd at all intermediate pointat 26 to the end ygate and is provided below its point of pivot mwith the Shoulder oise 2,7, .0n y,which hears the free end of a leaf epring 28, secured fast at its other Aend @Sat 29, to 'the tld sate Tilelowe extremity f said lock lever-25 yis arranged to work in the ett-standing bracket 3,0, secnred t0 thelower Swinging edge 0f the end sate.; and the said lower extremity of the lever 25 is held normallyprojecteby s`p1`ting,he lon the brackets@ aS'fO engage in the Slotof the slotted keeper plate 3l,`seeured tothe bottom rear end of the body ofthe lvvagon. The npper end of thev lever 25, has attached thereto one end of the trip cord 33, which mayr lead to the ground and` provide Inea'nsfor releasingthe lever 25, from its keeper, from the ground, when the wagon has bean elevatedto the point of durnp onthe i'oof ofV the granary. In elevating the Wagon 21,'fro1n the ground up the track 17, the front 4axle thereof iS .Securely locked to the rear agile and prevented from turning sidewise onits king holt'asa pivot by means of the' gear lockhart. The gear lock bar 34, is provided at both ends thereof vvith the engaging hooks 35, thatare adapted to detachably engagethe eye bolts 3G, secured opposite toeach other respectiyely tothe front and rear axles of the wagon. Doring its elevation, the tongueB?, ofthe wagon is also supported and scoured out of the way by meansof the tongue snpporting hook 38, pivotally connected at one endto the front end of the wagon hodyand detachably engaging an eye 39, at its other end, on the tongue 37.

To provide for elevating the loaded Wagon 21, a pulley blockAO, iedetachably connected with one end thereof." The pulley block 40, is provided at one end with the connecting hooks 41, that are adapted to be detachably engaged over thefdraw bolt 41, that secures the hounds of the wagon to the tongue, and said pulley block 40, has attached thereto one end of the elevating rope 42. From its connection at one end tothe pulley block 40, the elevating rope 42, passes up over the roof of the granary and around one of the pulleys in the double pulley block 43, that is loosely connected to the upper end of the anchor post 44, securely braced on top of the roof of the granary beyond the grain opening therein. The elevating rope 42 passes from one of the pgue'ys inthe double paueybmck 43, nackt@ the pnlley block 40 connected 'to the Wagon and tllmsh the pulley therein, 'and from tlleneethetep@ is' vetw'uediard passed around the other pulley inthe pnlley lolck. 43. The free end of the elevatingrope is 'passed from the pulley block 43, around the guide pulley 45 secured on the roof of the grauary and from thence pessee to the ground Where a team or other'snitahle peuter may be con-` neoted thereto for `the purpose of elevating the wagon o p onto thereof. The several portions "of the elefyating" rope 42, are held oit frontv the end corner `"of the roof over which they pass by a series of "anti-friction Wheels or rollersI 46, journaled in a block or support 47seoured on the roof between the meeting Peints f 111@ teilt' 4 and, lsf

{By the @reactions defievibed, the leaded wagon may he elevated onthe track 17, and drawn over the roof track 3, up to the grain opening 2, formed inthe roof of the grauary, andai this point the front wheels ofthe wagon are elevatedfonthe inclined track frame 4S. The inclined track frame 48, is provided with the inclined elevating rails 49 leading upfrom the rails 41, o f the roof track, and at opposite lower sides" the said inclined track frameis provided with' the attaching plates 50, that are adepted to be detachably secured to any poin t on the rails 4, to proper position at one sideof the grainf opening 2, inthe roof top 1. When the Wagon 1s carried uponto the inclined track fratrie 48, the end gate thereof is unlocked and the contents ofthe wagon allowed to dunl'p into the grain opening 2.

the present invention the grain 'opening 2, has fitted thereintfo a circular' metallic bearing ringl, in which turns the revoluble spout `neck 52, to the lower inner end of which is pivotally connected, as at 53, one end of the extensible delivery `spout or trough `54. The extensible delivery spout or trough 54, consists of duplicate 4spout sections fitting one within theother and adjustably connected to settler by U-sli redblip, secured t0 the opposite sides o the outermost spout section and embracing the npperside edges of the innermost spout section. By reason of the longitudinal adjustment of the spout sections and IIC lIn

to elevate the Weight and bring the saine to tion of a granary having an opening in its which passes one of the portions of the elevatthe revoluble support of the neck 52, it will' be obvious that the grain dumped into the spout frornfthe Wagon may'beidistrib'uted to any partof the granary. After dumping the empty Wagon is automatically returned to the upper end of the inclined ground track I7, by means of the returning weight 56. The re' turning Weight 56, has connected thereto a pulley block 57, around which passes the Weight rope 58, one end of which is secured fast at one end of the roof and Ithe other endv of which isfprovided with a Vring 59, through ing rope 42, so that the loaded Wagon in being elevated to the point of dump will carry such ring end of the Weight rope therewith so as apositionso that in falling, when the elevating rope is slacked up, it will return the wagon back to the upper end of the inclined ground track.

Changes in the form, proportion and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or` sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is

1. In an unloading apparatus, the combination of a granary having an opening in its roof, a track on the roof of said granary over the opening therein, an inclined ground track leading up to one end of the roof track, and hoisting devices for a Wagon, substantially as set forth.

2. In an unloading apparatus, the combinaroof, a track on the roof of said granary, an inclined ground track'supported at one end on the ground and leading up to one end of the roof track, said tracks consisting of opposite parallel track rails provided with side retaining flanges and metallic Wear plates facing the inner sides of said flanges, and the hoisting devices for the Wagon, substantially as set forth.

3. In a grain unloading apparatus, the combination of a granary having an opening in its roof, a track on the roof of said granary, a series of adj ustable rail brackets secured to the granary roof and adapted to support the rails of the roof track, the inclined ground track,and the elevating or hoisting devices for the Wagon, substantially as set forth. 4 4. In a grain unloading apparatus, the coinbnation of a granary having an opening in its roof, a parallel series of rail brackets secured on the roof of said granary and comprising attachment plates, adjustable upright supporting posts pivotally connected at their lower ends to said attachment plates, and brace arms pivotally connected at one end to said attachment plates and adj ustably at their other ends to said supporting posts to secure the same in an upright position, the roof track having its rails secured to the upper ends of said supporting posts of said rail brackets, inclined ground track, and the elevating or hoisting devices forthe wagon, substantially as set forth.

5. Ina grain unloading apparatus, the combination of a granary having an opening in its roof, a track on the roof of said granary over the opening therein, an inclined ground track leading up to one end of the roof track, an inclined track frame detachably secured to thereof track attone side of the open- .y ing in said roof', the Wagon, and the elevating or hoisting devices adapted to be connected with the Wagon, substantially as sety forth.

6. In a grain unloading apparatus, the combination of a granary having an opening in its roof, a track on the roof of said granary overf the opening therein, an inclined ground track leading up to one end'of the rooftrack, an inclined track frame detachably secured to the roof track at one side of the opening in the roof, the Wagon having a swinging end gate, a trip lock for said e'nd gate, and the elevating devices adapted to be detachably con- 'nected with .the wagon, substantially as set forth.

'7. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with the track; of the Wagon having a swinging end gate pivoted at its upper end Within the rear end of the wagonbody, a slotted keeper plate secured to the bottom rearend of the Wagon body, a segmental lock lever pivoted at an intermediate point to the end gate and provided below its point of pivot with a shoulder off-set, a spring arranged to bear on said shoulder off-set to normally engage the lower end of said lever with said keeper plate, and a trip cord connected to the upper end of said segmental lock lever, substantially as set forth.A

8. In a grain unloading apparatus, the combination with the tracks and the elevating devices; of the Wagon having opposed eye bolts on the front and rear axles thereof, and a gear lock ba'r provided at both ends with engaging hooks adapted to engage said eye bolts, substantially as set forth.

9. In agrain unloading apparatus, the combination of a granary having an opening in its roof, a track on the roof of said granary IOO IIO

over the opening therein, an inclined ground Y track, an .inclined track frame secured to the roof track yat one side of the opening in the roof,- an anchor post secured on the roof at one end of the roof track, a double pulley block connected to said anchor post, the wagon, a pulley block provided with connecting hooks adapted to detachably engage the draw bolt of the Wagon tongue, the elevating rope reeved varound the pulleys in said pulley blocks and having one end attached to the pulley block connected to the wagon and the other end guided t0 the ground, and a Weight connection with said elevating rope to return the empty Wagon, substantially as set forth.

10. In a grain unloading apparatus, thepornbination of a roof track, an inclined ground Y track, the inclined track frame detachably secured to the roof track, the wagon, suitably arranged pulley blocks one of which is detachably connected to the front end of the wagon, the elevating rope reeved around the pulleys in said pulley blocks, a series of antifriction wheels or rollers arranged at the j uneture between the roof and ground tracks and adapted to receive thereon the-several portions of the elevating rope, a weight rope secured fast at one end to a suitable point of attachment and provided at its other end with a ring receiving one of the portions ofthe elevating rope, and a weight having a pulley block receiving around the pulley therein said weight rope, substantially as set forth.

ll. In agrain unloading apparatus, the coinbinatiou of a granary having an opening in its roof, a track on the roof of said granary over the opening therein, the ground track, the Wagon, the elevating devices, and a grain delivery7 spout adapted to be adjnstably arranged in said roof opening, substantially as set forth.

12. In agrain elevating apparatus, the combination of a granary having an opening in its roof, the track on the roof of said granary over the opening therein, the dump Wagon, the elevating devices, and an extensible grain delivering spout adapted to be revolnbly supported in said roof opening, substantially as set forth.

13. In a grain unloading apparatus, the connbination of a granary having an opening in its roof, the track on the roof of said grauary over the opening therein, the dump Wagon, the elevating devices, a metallic bearing ring adapted to be fitted in said roof opening, a spout neck revolubly mounted in said bearing ring, and an extensible delivery spout or trough pivotally connected at one end to the lower end of said spout neck and consisting of duplicate spout sections adjnstably connected with each other, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that We claim the foregoing as our own We have hereto affixed our sign atnres in the presence of two Witnesses.

ALEXANDER COWAN. ROBERT COWAN.

Witnesses:

J. L. E. PncK, DAVID ALGYER. 

